Archive for April, 2012

Luci Baines Johnson is making good on her mother's love of nature and Texas. Johnson and her husband, Ian Turpin, are donating $1 million toward the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's next big project: a family and children's garden.

University of Texas nursing student Jami Crump studies for a pharmacology exam at Zilker Park on Monday April 23, 2012, with help from her boyfriend, Jesse Goddard, and supervision from Lady, the couple's German shepherd. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Young entrepreneurs ages 5-17 competed Sunday in The Best Tasting Lemonade contest at the Austin Children's Museum. The contest is a prelude to Lemonade Day Austin, in which more than 11,000 kids will participate all over the city on May 6, 2012. Lemonade Day Austin is a fun, free, event where kids get to make and keep the money that they earn while learning first-hand about business and entrepreneurship. Liberty Taylor, 8, talks about her special "Liberty Lemonade" to judges as her little sister Naomi, 4, seems more frightened or curious about the dry ice concoction pouring over her jug of juice. Kids will vie for the title of best lemonade in several categories.

Parker Taylor, with Collider Media, is an unofficial judge and tastes a concoction from one of the contestants.

Willie Nelson smiles after the unveiling of his bronze likeness at the corner of West Second (Willie Nelson Boulevard) and Lavaca streets on Friday April 20, 2012. The eight-foot-tall bronze statue was donated by the nonprofit Capital Area Statues. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Hundreds of fans watch as the Willie Nelson statue is unveiled near ACL Live at the Moody Theater about 4:20 p.m. on Friday April 20, 2012.

Willie Nelson and his wife Annie Nelson listen to comments during the unveiling ceremony.

Willie Nelson played two songs during the event -"On the Road Again" and a new tune, "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die."

Jonathan McVey and another resident watch Austin firefighters battle a three-alarm fire at the Pharo Condominums, 4307 S. First Street, on Wednesday April 18, 2012. Spokesman Matt Cox said the fire started in a downstairs unit but quickly spread into the building's attic. Eight of the complex's units were damaged, and a dozen residents were displaced, but no one was injured, officials said. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Alina Horrocks and husband Jordan of Houston ride their bicycles on Park Road 1A at Bastrop State Park on Friday April 13, 2012. The state park has nearly completely reopened after the wildfires last September burned 90 percent of the park. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Michael Giordano of Arlington set up his tent among the burned trees in the Copperas Creek Camping Area at Bastrop State Park on Friday April 13, 2012.

A view of Bastrop State Park from the Piney Hill Camping Area on Friday April 13, 2012.

Dorothy Speedie of Houston relaxes in a hammock at the Piney Hill Camping Area.

Thousands attended the funeral service for senior police officer Jaime Padron who was slain in the line of duty last week attempting to stop a robbery at a local Wal-Mart store. The ceremony was held at Shoreline Church in Northwest Austin and the funeral procession wound through Austin streets before heading west towards his hometown of San Angelo.

Hundreds of police cars and motorcycles line the church parking lot.

Two Quint fire engines from Austin Fire Department display a large American flag for cars to pass through as they enter the church site.

Members of the Patriot Honor Guard arrive and ring the church with American flags, including Jared MacDonald from Round Rock.

Hundreds of police officers exit the church service and take their position on the grass for a presentation to Padron's family. His body will be buried in San Angelo, but the family was presented with flags and his medals.

Police officer J. Kidd is greeted by Assistant Police Chief Patti Robinson as he makes his way to the family area for the presentation. Kidd was Padron's partner.

Police Chief Art Acevedo presents Padron's mother with the department's Purple Heart with Valor medal after he presented his two young daughters American flags.

Law enforcement helicopters fly by the outdoor ceremony in a missing man formation.

Family members break down as Padron's badge number 6674 was retired over the police radio and was called 10-42, police code for out of service.

An Austin police officer sheds a tear as Padron's badge is retired on a call-in radio.

The police honor guard carries Padron's casket to the hearse for transport to his hometown.

Austin Honor Guard officers and pall bearers console one another after the ceremony.

The funeral procession breaks off at RR 620 and Texas Highway 71 West as the hearse will continue on to San Angelo with a twenty unit escort.

The procession passes through Lakeway at Highway 71 West and RR 620 as residents line the roadway to pay their respects. Karina Machnacki and her children Chloe, 10 and Evan, 8, put their hands over their hearts as the hearse passes before them. Next to them is fellow resident Kathy Dutton and Peggy Fernandes is on her knees in prayer for the fallen officer.

Vivian Lewis, far left, holds a Thank You sign out of respect for the fallen officer. Lewis was living in the area of the last Austin officer to be gunned down in the line of duty and actually heard the gunshots that killed Austin Police Officer Ralph Ablanedo in 1978.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the place for native plants, but high above the archway leading into the center a Great Horned Owl and her nestling or owlet sit perched several feet above the ground.

New York Jets NFL quarterback Tim Tebow was the guest speaker for a special “Easter on the Hill” service at Celebration Church in Georgetown, TX. Church officials anticipated 20,000 people attended the free outdoor worship service on the property in a specially constructed outdoor stage. Tebow delivered his religious message to a receptive audience. Due to road closures and no on-site parking the thousands had to ride shuttle buses from area lots for the hilltop service.

Taylor Banks, 15, from Round Rock, sports taped-on eye black with the popular scripture John 3:16 that Tebow has worn before during games.

For the Sandovals, from L-R: brothers Boomer, Max, and parents Jaime and Debbie, it is truly a family love affair for Tebow as they sport New York Jets Tebow jerseys to the service. The family lives in Round Rock.

Due to road closures and no on-site parking the thousands had to ride shuttle buses from area lots for the hilltop service.

Volunteer Teri Bolin greets the buses with a wave and a welcome.

An estimated crowd of 15,000 listened to Tebow deliver his religious message to a receptive audience who raise their hands in prayer with Pastor Joe Champion.

Bystanders gather at the scene of a police shooting on Overbrook Drive in East Austin on Thursday April 5, 2012, where a man was fatally shot by an officer. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

A crime scene investigator photographs the scene of a police shooting on Overbrook Drive on Thursday April 5, 2012. A black tarp covered the area.

An Austin police officer threatens to arrest a man who pointed a red laser pointer at him after a police shooting on Overbrook Drive. Moments later about 10 rocks were thrown at the patrol car in background, breaking a window.

An Austin police officer walks past a patrol car that was damaged by thrown rocks after a police shooting on Overbrook Drive. Angry bystanders threw about 10 rocks at the car, breaking a window.

A woman collapses shortly after the shooting on Overbrook Drive. "Not me! Not me!," she cried as she was taken away by paramedics on a stretcher.

A woman cries after a police shooting on Overbrook Drive on Thursday April 5, 2012.

Texas held its annual Orange-White scrimmage at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon to culminate their spring football season and invited the public to attend and get a close-up look at next season's team.Seniors to be D.J. Monroe and Kenny Vaccaro lead the team onto the field at the start of the game.

Texas receiver Jaxson Shipley sets up his blocking on a quick pass for good yardage.

Texas' D.J. Monroe scampers around end on a long run for a touchdown outrunning defender Leroy Scott and receiving cheers from the Texas pep squad as he cross the endzone.

Case McCoy finds some time to throw behind his big offensive line, where depth is much needed.

RB Joe Bergeron had a good day finding some hard tough yardage up the middle.

Senior team leader Kenny Vaccaro slaps his hands as his defense stops the office for no gain on a play.

Before the start of the annual Orange-White scrimmage at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon Texas unveiled a new statue of Heisman Trophy RB Ricky Williams, who just this year retired from the NFL after 10 seasons. Williams is joined by his family including his wife Kristin Barnes and his children, Marley, Prince, Asha and Elijah.

On hand to pay tribute to Ricky was Texas Legend and fellow Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell. Campbell's statue stands next to Williams' in the southwest end of the stadium that longtime supporter Joe Jamail, center, help build.